Qld call for summer strawberry support

QUEENSLANDERS are being urged to eat strawberries over summer, following a series of incidents where needles were hidden in the fruit.

State Agriculture Minister Mark Furner will officially launch the summer season in Stanthorpe today, with Qld producers set to deliver up to 30,000 tonnes or 60 million punnets of the fruit this season.

Mr Furner says the response from the public to the crisis has been heartening, after the government announced $1 million to help the industry recover.

"The sabotage of the strawberry industry in September was devastating for strawberry growers who put their heart and soul in to producing a safe and delicious product," Mr Furner said